Janice Tucker, founder of Space to Relax, has dedicated her career to making the ancient practice of Qigong accessible to a global audience through online learning.
In this interview with MysticMag, she shares how her background in Traditional Chinese Medicine and decades of experience have shaped her mission to help others manage stress, pain, and fatigue through medical Qigong. Her online programs and one-to-one sessions empower individuals to take control of their physical and emotional well-being—no matter their location or schedule.
Janice explains how even just a few mindful minutes a day can bring lasting calm, clarity, and vitality.
What inspired you to establish Space to Relax and focus on teaching Qigong online?
I’ve been teaching Qigong since 2004, following several study trips to the University of Guangzhou in China. Initially, I taught face-to-face, but I always had the idea of creating an online platform to reach more people globally. In 2015, I launched Space to Relax with a 50-video course designed to guide beginners through the foundational practices of Qigong.
The motivation behind this was twofold: to make Qigong accessible to people worldwide and to offer a flexible option for those who can’t attend regular classes. Whether someone doesn’t have a local teacher, works irregular hours, or is caring for family at home, the online format allows them to learn at their own pace and on their own schedule. Members can log in anytime and practice when it suits them best—which is one of the biggest advantages of learning Qigong online.
How does Qigong, as taught in your programs, integrate with Traditional Chinese Medicine principles?
The form of Qigong I teach is medical Qigong, which is actually a branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). I studied it in China through a program specifically designed for practitioners of acupuncture and Chinese medicine, which I’m also trained in. Acupuncture is a key part of my practice, so the integration of Qigong comes quite naturally.
Qigong offers a set of exercises that can be used by anyone—whether they’re receiving acupuncture or not—as a self-care toolkit to support their health. It empowers individuals to take more control over their well-being, whether they’re managing a specific condition or simply aiming to boost their energy, improve sleep, or enhance overall vitality. Because Qigong is part of the broader TCM system, it complements acupuncture beautifully, while also standing on its own as a practice people can continue independently.
Can you elaborate on the benefits participants might experience from your Space to Relax Programme?
Absolutely—there are so many benefits. One of the main ones is pain relief. Qigong exercises can help ease physical pain anywhere in the body. Another major benefit is improved energy levels. In today’s fast-paced world, many people feel constantly tired or drained. The combination of gentle movement and focused breathing in Qigong helps boost energy and vitality.
Perhaps the most important benefit for many is the calming and focusing effect on the mind. A lot of people struggle with anxiety, racing thoughts, and mental overwhelm. Through consistent practice—even just 5–10 minutes a day—Qigong can quiet the mental chatter, ease emotional ups and downs, and help you feel more grounded. It enhances sleep quality, stabilizes emotions, and creates a sense of inner calm that makes it easier to handle life’s daily pressures.
Modern life is overwhelming. We do too much, put pressure on ourselves, and often struggle to say no. Qigong gives people a way to create space for themselves—to reconnect, recharge, and navigate stress with greater ease. While external challenges may not change, your ability to cope with them can dramatically improve through regular Qigong practice.
How do your one-to-one ‘Back on Track’ sessions complement the online courses you offer?
The one-to-one ‘Back on Track’ sessions are ideal for people who want more individualized attention. Chinese medicine is inherently personalized, so when someone visits my acupuncture clinic, I ask a wide range of questions, observe their tongue, and take their pulse to make a diagnosis and create a tailored treatment plan. In the online sessions, while I can’t take a pulse remotely, I can still gather plenty of useful information through detailed conversations and visual assessments like tongue diagnosis.
These sessions allow me to offer personalized guidance around diet, lifestyle, appropriate supplements, and specific Qigong exercises suited to that person’s unique health condition. Unlike the Space to Relax course—which is designed to benefit anyone and everyone—the one-on-one sessions are much more targeted, helping individuals make faster progress. Additionally, I incorporate elements like dietary therapy, which is a major branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine and not covered in depth in the online course. This makes the Back on Track sessions a powerful complement to the general program, offering deeper support where needed.
What strategies do you employ to make Qigong accessible to individuals with varying levels of experience?
One of the great things about Qigong is that anyone can do it. In a single class, I might have students who’ve been practicing for 25 years alongside complete beginners—and they can all benefit from the same exercise. That’s because Qigong meets you where you are. Beginners will experience the movements in a way that builds flexibility, strength, and relaxation, while advanced practitioners will go deeper into breathwork, posture, and the energetic flow of Qi.
My teaching approach is step-by-step. For beginners, I always recommend starting with just the movement. Once that becomes second nature and is embedded in their muscle memory, they can begin to layer in the breath. Only after the breath and movement are well coordinated do we bring in the focus of the mind—such as directing Qi, visualizing its flow, or connecting with nature. Trying to master all three elements—movement, breath, and mind—at once can feel overwhelming, especially for new students. So, I guide people through each stage gradually, allowing them to build a solid foundation at their own pace. This approach ensures that Qigong remains accessible and rewarding, no matter your level of experience.
How do you envision the role of Qigong in promoting mental and physical well-being in today’s fast-paced world?
In today’s fast-paced world, many people are mentally and physically exhausted. The beauty of Qigong is that it can be seamlessly integrated into daily life, making it accessible even for those with the busiest schedules. While some might feel they don’t have time to dedicate 30 minutes to a formal Qigong practice, the truth is, you don’t need that much time to benefit.
I encourage people to use Qigong throughout their day. Simple abdominal breathing—the foundation of all Qigong—can be done while lying in bed, standing in line at the supermarket, or even driving. Gentle movements can be practiced during a quick work break, whether it’s a short walk outside or a few stretches in a quiet corner. These small, mindful moments can reset the flow of Qi, calm the mind, and energize the body. In a world where people often feel like they don’t even have time to breathe, integrating Qigong in this way can be truly transformative.
Special Offer for Our Readers
You’re invited to enjoy 20% off Space to Relax’s new short course:
“The Eight Pieces of Brocade (Ba Duan Jin)” – a series of 9 video lessons teaching this ancient and powerful Qigong sequence.
🎟️ Use discount code 20OFF8PB at checkout here: https://spacetorelax.com/eight-pieces-of-brocade-online-course/
You can learn more about Janice and “Space to Relax” here:
Website: https://spacetorelax.com/
Free Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/janicetuckercourses
YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/@JaniceSpaceToRelaxQigong
If you’d like to join my FREE 3-part Qigong series of video lessons, you can sign up here: https://spacetorelax.com/free-qigong-video-series/
